Amsterdam - The European Union (EU) should act together to solve the gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Hoeven said on Thursday. The EU should mediate between the two countries to solve their ongoing dispute over gas as soon as possible, van der Hoeven said in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
She also insisted that such disputes should be dealt with on a European level.
"No country can solve this crisis individually," van der Hoeven said, adding that a swift and lasting solution was necessary to safeguard what she called "Russia's credibility as a trade partner."
She rejected the possibility that the Dutch would increase their daily production to alleviate the gas crisis as long as the dispute remains unresolved.
"We have no intention of increasing daily production to supply gas to those countries currently suffering from the crisis," van der Hoeven said. "Rather, we support a swift and long-term solution for the gas conflict."
The Netherlands boasts western Europe's largest natural gas field, located in the northeast province of Groningen. The gas field, which was discovered in 1959, has a 900-square-kilometre surface.
With 60 per cent of the field's resources already consumed and only an estimated 2,800 million cubic metres of gas remaining, the Dutch have rationed their daily gas production for several years.
In addition, the country has also begun purchasing gas from various sources abroad, including Russia and Qatar.
Van der Hoeven is due to visit Algeria this weekend to discuss energy cooperation. The economic affairs minister said no contracts are expected be signed.
However, she said, she wants to discuss the purchase of gas for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) station that is being built in Rotterdam harbour. From there, the gas could be distributed throughout Europe.
The Netherlands, which has one of Europe's most advanced gas pipeline networks due to its own natural gas resources, aspires to become one of Europe's main natural gas suppliers and distributors.
Van der Hoeven said the talks in Algeria would not only focus on requests for Algerian gas.
"Cooperation should always come from two sides. We know Algeria is interested in solar energy, in agricultural technology and dairy production. These are things the Dutch can provide."
Van der Hoeven also told
